Because every night in Waikīkī deserves a sweet treat — whether it’s ice cream, gelato, sorbet, or cheesecake — before heading back to your accommodation!
Waikīkī is a walkable neighborhood, making it easy to enjoy dinner in one spot and dessert in another. We often kick things off with a pre-drink at a different venue, too.
End your evening with a sweet treat to-go — with so many dessert spots around the Waikīkī resort area, choosing just one might be the hardest decision of your trip.
In this post, we share our local recommendations for the best dessert spots in Waikīkī.
Table of Contents
1. Gelatissimo
Australian-style artisan gelato with exceptionally great flavors.
📍 2201 Kalākaua Ave, Waikīkī
🕒 Open: Daily for Lunch & Dinner
Experience a slice of Sydney’s dessert culture in Waikīkī at Hawaiʻi’s only Gelatissimo store. Australia’s favorite gelato chain operates out of a kiosk in front of the Royal Hawaiian Center.
Their flavorful gelato, sorbets and shakes are premium in quality. Choose from over 20 flavors, including Taste of Hawaiʻi flavors like Dragonfruit & Lychee, Lilikoʻi (Passionfruit) and Guava.
As an Aussie, I was ecstatic to spot their new Deluxe flavor — Sticky Date Pudding! And with a new Flavor of the Month dropping regularly, there’s always something fresh to try.
INSIDE TIP: Gelatissmo has vegan-friendly (without dairy), gluten-free and reduced sugar options.
2. Henry’s Place
Flavor-packed sorbet that’s a Waikīkī favorite for a reason.
📍 234 Beach Walk, Waikīkī
🕒 Open: Daily for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Henry’s Place is Waikīkī’s best-kept secret for house-made sorbet, ice cream and fresh-cut fruit. One taste of their refreshing treats, and we’re sure you’ll be back for more.
This unassuming hole-in-the-wall practices some serious sorbet sorcery! With an array of sorbet flavors, choosing can be tough. Start with the tangy Calamansi Lime — it’s our top pick.
Notice the “RL” on the cups? It stands for Real Licious — real ingredients and seriously delicious. They use only fresh, local fruit, and just a heads-up, it’s a cash only venue.
INSIDE TIP: To avoid a scolding from the shop owner, read the sign and pick your sorbet flavor before opening the door.
3. Dave’s Ice Cream
Serving up island-inspired classic ice cream in Hawaiʻi for over four decades.
📍 Inside STIX Asia & The ʻIlikai
🕒 Open: Daily for Lunch & Dinner
Made from scratch every single day on the island of Oʻahu, Dave’s Ice Cream has been delighting Hawaiʻi with its incredible award-winning flavors for over 40 years!
Dave’s is synonymous with rich, creamy ice cream and sherbet (sorbet with a touch of milk or cream), served in a light, crispy waffle cone, sugar cone, or cup — plus they offer shave ice.
Choose from Hawaiʻi flavors like Hawaiian Mud Pie, Toasted Mac Nut and Poha Berry or enjoy classics like Strawberries ‘n’ Cream and Rocky Road. You also have the option to add toppings.
INSIDE TIP: Look out for Dave’s Ice Cream take-home tubs at Honolulu grocery stores including Safeway, Foodland, Times and Longs Drugs. It’s also on the dessert menu at over 180 eateries in Hawaiʻi.
4. KITH Treats
A unique cereal bar experience, one of only 16 locations worldwide.
📍 2301 Kalākala Ave, Waikīkī
🕒 Open: Daily for Lunch & Dinner
KITH Treats is a dessert shop with a bit of a cult following. Known as the creator of the original cereal soft serve, they turn your cereal, ice cream and milkshake dreams into reality.
Pick from curated specials or build-your-own unique dessert creation by combining ice cream or milk with American-brand cereals and popular candy mix-ins.
You can also try Hawaiʻi-exclusive mix-ins here like li hing mui, POG juice, or Kona coffee. We love The King’s Treat by LeBron James — a blend of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, granola and Snickers.
INSIDE TIP: KITH Treats is part of KITH’s Waikīkī flagship store. It’s worth checking out their apparel and footwear, including their in-house label and curated brands.
5. Lappert’s Hawaiʻi
Hawaiʻi-made ice cream, freshly baked treats and coffee — all under one roof.
📍 2005 Kālia Rd, Waikīkī
🕒 Open: Daily for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Lappert’s is a household name in Hawaiʻi, loved for its ice cream made on Kauaʻi. Their Hilton Hawaiian Village shop lets you enjoy this local dessert in Waikīkī without the need to island hop.
One look at the menu and it’s clear — this is a full-service ice creamery. You’ll find ice cream, sorbet, gelato, sundaes, frozen chillers, shakes, floats, smoothies and more.
The sweet scent of freshly made waffle cones fills the shop and yes, you can get yours chocolate-dipped. Pair it with an Aloha Roasted Coffee, grab a cup in-store or take home a bag to enjoy later.
INSIDE TIP: For those having trouble choosing flavors, order the Can’t Decide – five 1/2 scoops in a waffle bowl.
6. Il Gelato Hawaii
Italian-style gelato made with locally-sourced all-natural ingredients.
📍 Royal Hawaiian Ave, Lewers St, Kūhiō Ave. Food Hall & Hyatt Regency
🕒 Open: Daily for Breakfast (Lewers St & Hyatt Regency), Lunch & Dinner
Founded in Hawaiʻi in 2010, Il Gelato Hawaii desserts are made using their own recipes, the traditional way using Italian gelato equipment and authentic Italian processes.
Their rich, dense gelato is made daily at their Honolulu factory using island-grown ingredients. It also contains less sugar and fat than traditional ice cream, making it a lighter indulgence.
Standout flavors include their world-champion Hawaiian Banana, vegan Hawaiian Rainbow and locally-inspired Dragonfruit. With four cafés in Waikīkī alone, it’s easy to get your fix.
INSIDE TIP: The Royal Hawaiian Avenue location serves an interesting Rootbeer Float made with gelato.
7. MOSA!
A sweet opportunity to try Taiwanese-style desserts in the heart of Waikīkī.
📍 2238 Lau‘ula St, Waikīkī
🕒 Open: Daily for Dinner
On a side street in Waikīkī, MOSA! offers a fun take on Taiwanese-style ice cream — flavorful scoops topped with peanut brittle sprinkles and fresh strawberries. It’s a total flavor bomb!
They also serve ice cream crepe wraps (their best seller) and frozen tanghulu, a traditional Chinese dessert of fruit coated in hardened sugar syrup and skewered on bamboo sticks.
On our last visit to this highly-rated dessert spot, we shared a three-scoop MOSA! Cup with Vanilla, Kona Coffee and Cookies & Cream. It was super tasty and a great deal at under $10.
INSIDE TIP: MOSA! is inspired by “Formosa,” the word Portuguese explorers once used for Taiwan, meaning “beautiful island.” Their slogan “Stay MOSA!” is a tribute to their supporters — and a reminder to stay beautiful.
8. Cheesecake Factory
A paradise for sweet tooths with over 40 decadent cheesecakes and desserts.
📍 2301 Kalākaua Ave, Waikīkī
🕒 Open: Daily for Lunch & Dinner
You don’t need a reservation to enjoy The Cheesecake Factory‘s legendary desserts in Waikīkī. Just head to the front bakery counter and grab a slice of their famous cheesecake to-go.
From original New York-style to fruity blends and chocolate-loaded creations, there’s a flavor to tantalize every tastebud. Each generous slice is perfect for sharing — or not!
Our top picks from the Desserts Menu: Cinnabon Cinnamon Swirl Cheesecake, Ultimate Red Velvet Cake Cheesecake and Fresh Pineapple Cheesecake. What’s yours?
INSIDE TIP: Join the Cheesecake Rewards program for perks including a free slice for your birthday (with any purchase) and the ability to book tables ahead of time online.
In summary, cap off your evening in Waikīkī with a sweet treat from a local dessert spot, perfect for enjoying on your stroll back to your lodging.
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Waikīkī Morning Coffee Cruise
- Fantastic way to start your day!
- Cruise on Vida Mia as seen in The White Lotus
- Sweet & savory breakfast with local coffee
- 7am & 10am departures available
Local Flavors & Top Sights
- The best food spots around Honolulu
- Sample poke and shrimp
- Indulge in malasadas and chocolate
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Small group tour max. of 7 guests
Visitor FAQs
The national chain ice cream shops in Waikīkī are Baskin-Robins (2255 Kalākaua Avenue), Häagen-Dazs (2490 Kalākaua Avenue & Sheraton Princess Kaʻiulani) and Dairy Queen (Hilton Hawaiian Village).
Waikīkī is the home base for two fantastic ice cream food trucks. Double Fat Ice Cream makes small-batch ice cream in off-the-wall flavors (Keʻalohilani Steet at ʻAlohilani Resort). Ice Cream Rolls Hawaii turns plant-based milk and simple ingredients into a tasty treat rolled right in front of you (208 Kapuni Street).
Several places in Waikīkī serve soft serve, including Lawson Station at Moana Surfrider and KITH Treats, Kokoro Cafe and Kulu Kulu in the Royal Hawaiian Center. Nana’s Green Tea in the STIX Asia food court and MATCHA Stand MAIKO also serve soft serve in unique flavors. While soft serve is found at Waikīkī McDonald’s (2476 Kalākaua Avenue & 2237 Kūhiō Avenue), they are notorious for their ice cream machine being out of order.
